As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. Such narratives explore multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on power. Whereas many of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of the events is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the secret to who wins the global AI race.
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